Indiana Lawmakers Still Negotiating Smoking Ban Compromise

House sponsors of Indiana’s proposed smoking ban bill say they’re still pushing to have bars included in the ban while time dwindles in this year’s legislative session.

A draft compromise that’s been circulating among lawmakers would exempt bars from the ban. But House sponsors say they aren’t sure whether they will support that step in order to get a bill passed into law.

The House approved a ban on smoking in most public places that gave an 18-month exemption to bars. The Senate passed a watered-down version that cut bars from the proposed ban.

Republican Rep. Eric Turner says he’s holding out for including bars in the ban, but he’s still seeking enough support among senators. Members of the conference committee negotiating a compromise say they expect something to emerge from the panel soon.